Orthodontist Lincoln, NE: Braces & Clear Aligners at Clabaugh Orthodontics
An orthodontist is a dental specialist who corrects tooth and jaw alignment using braces, clear aligners, and retainers. Dr. Richard Clabaugh, a board-certified orthodontist Lincoln families have trusted for years, treats crowding, gaps, overbites, underbites, crossbites, and open bites for kids, teens, & adults at Clabaugh Orthodontics.
What Does an Orthodontist in Lincoln Do?
An orthodontist in Lincoln, NE is a dental specialist who diagnoses, prevents, and corrects misaligned teeth and bites using braces, clear aligners, and retainers. At Clabaugh Orthodontics, Dr. Clabaugh treats crowding, gaps, overbites, underbites, crossbites, and open bites for kids, teens, & adults, then protects every finished smile with retention.
Every orthodontist starts as a dentist, then keeps going. After dental school comes two to three additional years of full-time specialty residency focused entirely on tooth movement, jaw growth, and bite correction. That extra training is what separates a specialist from a general dentist.
At Clabaugh Orthodontics, Dr. Clabaugh spends his days on one thing: improving bites and improving smiles.
Common concerns he sees every week include:
- Crowding when teeth overlap because there isn't enough room in the arch
- Gaps and spacing between teeth that affect appearance and gum health
- Overbite when upper front teeth sit too far over the lower teeth
- Underbite when lower teeth land in front of the uppers
- Crossbite when upper and lower teeth don't meet correctly side to side
- Open bite when front teeth don't touch even with the back teeth closed
To correct these, Dr. Clabaugh uses clear aligners, clear braces, and metal braces, plus retainers to hold your finished smile in place. The right tool depends on your bite, your age, and your daily routine. Smiles have no age limit here, and we treat grade-schoolers, high school seniors, and working professionals across Lincoln and the surrounding communities.
Benefits of Orthodontic Treatment at Clabaugh Orthodontics
Straight teeth look great. A balanced bite does more than that, and it's the reason orthodontics is a health investment rather than a cosmetic one.
Here's what treatment can do for you and your family:
- Easier daily hygiene. When teeth aren't crowded or overlapping, brushing and flossing actually reach the surfaces that matter, which lowers your risk of decay and gum disease.
- Less strain on your jaw joints. A corrected bite distributes chewing forces more evenly, so you're not overworking one side of your mouth.
- Less uneven wear. Teeth that hit each other in the wrong spot wear down faster over time. Aligning the bite protects enamel.
- Discreet options for teens and adults. Clear aligners and clear braces let you improve your smile without an obvious metal look. Nearly invisible, incredibly effective.
- Digital scans and in-office 3D printing. Digital scans replace messy trays, and printing appliances and retainers on site means faster turnaround for you.
- Visits that fit real life. We schedule around school, work, and sports, and we run on time because your afternoon matters.
- Budget-friendly financing. Flexible payment options are built to fit Lincoln family budgets, not the other way around.
And then there's the part you can't put on a list: the atmosphere. Our team learns names, remembers the soccer tournament you mentioned last visit, and makes the whole thing genuinely enjoyable. Kids love us, parents trust us.
What to Expect: Your Treatment Process Step by Step
Orthodontic treatment at Clabaugh Orthodontics follows five steps: a free consult with photos, X-rays, and a digital scan; a custom treatment plan review covering options, timeline, and cost; placement of braces or delivery of your first clear aligners; progress visits every four to eight weeks; and a final debond or last aligner, followed by retainers.
Step 1: Your Free Consult
You'll meet Dr. Clabaugh, get a full exam, and have records taken. Digital photos, X-rays, and a quick digital scan replace old-fashioned impressions. No mess, no gagging.
Step 2: Reviewing Your Custom Plan
Dr. Clabaugh walks you through what he sees, which treatment options make sense, roughly how long each would take, and exactly what it costs. You'll leave knowing your numbers, not guessing at them.
Step 3: Getting Started
Braces are bonded to your teeth in a single visit, or your first set of clear aligners is delivered with wear instructions. Many families qualify for same-day starts, meaning you can begin the same day as your free consult.
Step 4: Progress Visits
Most braces patients come in every four to eight weeks for adjustments. Clear aligner patients often need fewer in-office checks since you're changing trays at home on schedule.
Step 5: Finishing and Retention
When your bite is where it should be, braces come off or you finish your final aligner. Then retainers take over. They hold your stunning smile in place for the long haul, and wearing them as directed is the single best thing you can do to protect your investment.
Treatment length varies. Simple cases can wrap up in about six months, while complex bite corrections may run closer to 24 to 30 months. Dr. Clabaugh gives you a realistic estimate at your consult.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Braces or Clear Aligners?
Almost anyone with crowding, spacing, or a bite issue is a candidate. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic check by age 7, teens make up the most common age group for treatment, and adults have no upper age limit. Clear aligners suit mild to moderate cases; braces handle complex rotations and severe bite correction.
Kids (Ages 7 to 10)
An early check rarely means early treatment. It lets Dr. Clabaugh monitor jaw growth, watch erupting permanent teeth, and step in at the ideal moment if crowding or a crossbite develops. Kids who don't need anything yet join our smile squad, monitored at no cost until the timing is right.
Teens (Ages 11 to 17)
Once most permanent teeth are in, treatment moves efficiently. Teens choose metal braces, clear braces, or clear aligners depending on their sport, their schedule, and how visible they want treatment to be.
Adults
Bone doesn't stop responding to gentle pressure at 18. Adults at Clabaugh Orthodontics regularly finish treatment they skipped as kids, or correct shifting that happened after old retainers were retired. Clear options fit professional life without announcing themselves in meetings.
Braces vs. Clear Aligners at a Glance
| Consideration | Metal & Clear Braces | Clear Aligners |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Complex rotations, severe crowding, significant bite correction | Mild to moderate crowding, spacing, and bite issues |
| Visibility | Metal is visible; clear braces blend with natural teeth | Nearly invisible |
| Daily commitment | Fixed in place, works around the clock | Must be worn 20 to 22 hours per day |
| Eating | Some foods off-limits (sticky, hard, crunchy) | Remove trays to eat anything |
| Office visits | Typically every 4 to 8 weeks | Often fewer in-office checks |
| Best candidate | Any age, including growing kids | Responsible teens and adults |
Not sure which column you belong in? That's exactly what the free consult is for.
Why Lincoln Families Choose Clabaugh Orthodontics
Choosing an orthodontist in Lincoln comes down to training, trust, and how you're treated once you're in the chair.
- Specialist-led care. Dr. Richard Clabaugh is a board-certified orthodontist, which means he completed specialty residency training and voluntarily passed the rigorous examination process of the American Board of Orthodontics. Not every practicing orthodontist pursues that credential, and it has to be maintained over time. He's also an active member of the American Association of Orthodontists and carries the ABO certified seal.
- Documented stunning smiles. Our before and after gallery shows real Lincoln patients, from simple spacing corrections to full bite changes, and the reviews families share once treatment wraps up tell the rest of the story in their own words.
- Local roots. Dr. Clabaugh was born and raised right here, trained in dentistry before specializing in orthodontics, and now cares for the same Lincoln and surrounding communities he grew up in.
- Coordinated with your dentist. We welcome referrals from general dentists across Lincoln and the surrounding communities, we keep your dentist in the loop throughout treatment, and we encourage you to stay on schedule with cleanings while you're in braces or aligners.
- Financing that works. Our team handles insurance coordination for you, verifies your benefits before treatment starts, and offers in-house, interest-free payment plans that keep monthly numbers manageable.
- An office built for everyone. Kids, teens, and adults all fit here. Personalized treatment, beautiful results.
Frequently Asked Questions About Orthodontics in Lincoln
How much do braces cost in Lincoln, NE?
Cost depends on the type of appliance, how complex your bite is, and how long treatment takes. At Clabaugh Orthodontics, we quote your exact fee at the free consult, before you commit to anything. Most families use a combination of insurance benefits, HSA/FSA funds, and interest-free monthly payments spread across treatment, and shorter cases generally cost less than full bite corrections that run two years or more. You won't get a vague range from us. You'll get your number in writing.
Do I need a referral to see an orthodontist?
No referral is needed. You can call Clabaugh Orthodontics directly and schedule a free consult for yourself or your child. Many patients come to us on a recommendation from their general dentist, and plenty find us on their own. Either way works.
How long does orthodontic treatment take?
Most cases run between 12 and 24 months, though simple corrections can finish in as little as six months and complex bites may take closer to 30. Your timeline depends on tooth movement required, your age, and how consistently you follow instructions like wearing elastics or aligners.
Are clear aligners as effective as braces?
For mild to moderate crowding, spacing, and bite issues, yes, clear aligners deliver stunning smiles when worn 20 to 22 hours a day. The catch is discipline. Aligners only work while they're in your mouth. For severe rotations or major bite corrections, Dr. Clabaugh may recommend braces because they apply continuous force.
At what age should my child see an orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. By then, enough permanent teeth have come in for Dr. Clabaugh to spot developing crossbites, crowding, or jaw growth concerns. Most kids won't need anything yet, and we'll simply monitor them until the timing is right.
Does insurance cover braces or clear aligners?
Many dental plans include orthodontic benefits, often as a lifetime maximum rather than an annual one. Our team verifies your coverage before treatment starts and files claims on your behalf. Whatever insurance doesn't cover can be spread across interest-free monthly payments.
Schedule Your Free Consultation in Lincoln Today
Ready to see what's possible? Your visit with Clabaugh Orthodontics is free, no-obligation, and includes a full exam with Dr. Clabaugh, digital records, and a clear plan with real numbers.
Call or text us at (402) 483-1009 or book online at any time.
You'll find us at 1530 South 70th Street, #201, Lincoln, NE 68506, serving Lincoln and the surrounding communities.
Early morning and after-school times stay open so treatment doesn't cost you a school day or a shift at work. No referral needed, and kids, teens, & adults are all welcome.
Improving bites. Unleashing smiles.®